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Blackberry River Valley Protection Alliance, Inc. (formally known as STAPEC, LLC) is an environmental organization with a mission of environmental protection and conservation in North Canaan and adjacent towns in the Blackberry River watershed and its environs. Its mission includes, but is not limited to, protecting the air, the land, the aquifer, wildlife, and the health and general quality of life of area residents and visitors.
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Please Note:
The Blackberry River Valley Protection Alliance, Inc. remains focused on opposing the siting and development of an asphalt plant in North Canaan, Connecticut due to serious environmental and public health concerns. These efforts will include educating the public and public officials about the risks posed to the environment by the proposed asphalt plant, discussions with administrators and government officials in their administrative (non-legislative) capacities seeking proper application of laws and regulations, legal action to seek compliance with laws and regulations, public education, outreach, and similar activities.
Asphalt Manufacturing Risks
B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving, Inc. Warm-Mix Asphalt Plant Court approved site plan and it’s proximity to the Blackberry River.
Is violation of CT Public Act 98-216 (Act 22A-196) covering the location of "... Any asphalt batching or continuous mix facility not in operation as of December 31, 1997, may not be located..." ... "...within one-third mile of a watercourse and within one-third mile of residential housing..." This asphalt making site is in violation of both these restrictions.
Read more at: https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/p/deep-watercourse-residential.html
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B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving, Inc. Warm-Mix Asphalt Plant Court approved site plan and it’s environmental water contamination risk to the surficial aquifer under the site.
Housatonic Valley Association has documented North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas. Maps show that there is a potential aquifer under this property. This large scale asphalt manufacturing plant whether stationary or portable also risks contaminating the groundwater from contaminated waste water runoff going to aquifers that feed the town water well system and adjacent private wells. BLUE CROSSHATCH AREAS (see HVA map at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/2019/03/aquifer-risk.html) are Surficial Aquifer Potential Areas considered to have the greatest potential for groundwater yield. Adding to the risk is that the plant is sited to occupy the bottom of a gravel pit that makes the potential plant that much closer to the aquifer depth.
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Asphalt Plants are Regulated under Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Plan
“...a comprehensive and coordinated system of land use regulations should be established that includes state regulations which protect public drinking water wells located in stratified drift aquifers… (Stratified Drift Aquifers consist of stratified layers of sand and gravel. Most productive aquifers. High permeability/moderate porosity. Susceptible to pollution)…”...
“... What Are The Effects of Groundwater Contamination?
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B. Metcalf Asphalt Paving, Inc. Warm-Mix Asphalt Plant Court approved site plan and it’s environmental water contamination risk to the surficial aquifer under the site.
Housatonic Valley Association has documented North Canaan, Connecticut Wetland Soils & Aquifer Potential Areas. Maps show that there is a potential aquifer under this property. This large scale asphalt manufacturing plant whether stationary or portable also risks contaminating the groundwater from contaminated waste water runoff going to aquifers that feed the town water well system and adjacent private wells. BLUE CROSSHATCH AREAS (see HVA map at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/2019/03/aquifer-risk.html) are Surficial Aquifer Potential Areas considered to have the greatest potential for groundwater yield. Adding to the risk is that the plant is sited to occupy the bottom of a gravel pit that makes the potential plant that much closer to the aquifer depth.
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Asphalt Plants are Regulated under Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Plan
“...a comprehensive and coordinated system of land use regulations should be established that includes state regulations which protect public drinking water wells located in stratified drift aquifers… (Stratified Drift Aquifers consist of stratified layers of sand and gravel. Most productive aquifers. High permeability/moderate porosity. Susceptible to pollution)…”...
“... What Are The Effects of Groundwater Contamination?
According to Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program (which North Canaan has adopted) Municipal Manual groundwater contaminated with chemicals, pesticides, gasoline or oil can cause serious human and animal health problems. Those who drink it or come in contact with it can suffer diseases, nervous system disorders,liver or kidney failure, or cancer. Detection and treatment of contaminated water can be very expensive, much more expensive than taking steps to prevent the contamination from occurring in the first place. …”
More at Connecticut’s Aquifer Protection Area Program https://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/aquifer_protection/municipal_manual/deep_aquifer_manual.pdf
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About Asphalt Fumes
There is nothing “JUST” about Asphalt Fumes (or as it seems the Metcalf GemPatch Cold Patch sheet likes to call it “MIST”) from asphalt manufacturing. It is NOT “just a nuisance”... NOT just smell. Asphalt Fume Hazard statements assert that it can “...cause skin, respiratory, and eye irritation. Could potentially be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Suspected carcinogenic; the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of asphalt fumes.”
More DATA SHOWS that... “Benzene is a chemical with a specific OSHA regulation. OSU Chemical Safety Committee has classified the chemical benzene as a High hazard carcinogen. Use of this chemical must be registered and controlled, Long-term exposure, even at very low concentrations, may cause incurable, fatal blood disorders such as anemia or leukemia.”
More at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/2019/03/nothing-just.html
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About Asphalt Fumes
There is nothing “JUST” about Asphalt Fumes (or as it seems the Metcalf GemPatch Cold Patch sheet likes to call it “MIST”) from asphalt manufacturing. It is NOT “just a nuisance”... NOT just smell. Asphalt Fume Hazard statements assert that it can “...cause skin, respiratory, and eye irritation. Could potentially be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Suspected carcinogenic; the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of asphalt fumes.”
More DATA SHOWS that... “Benzene is a chemical with a specific OSHA regulation. OSU Chemical Safety Committee has classified the chemical benzene as a High hazard carcinogen. Use of this chemical must be registered and controlled, Long-term exposure, even at very low concentrations, may cause incurable, fatal blood disorders such as anemia or leukemia.”
More at https://www.blackberryrivervalleyprotectionalliance.org/2019/03/nothing-just.html
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Thank you for your comment and helping to protect the environment and conservation in North Canaan, Connecticut and adjacent towns in the Blackberry River watershed and its environs.